At 5159m Lumba Samba pass was our first major pass of this trip
(but an easy one). To acclimatize further we put two intermediate camps
between OlangchunGola
and the crossing of the pass, respectively at 3880m and 4450m. A small snow
fall (the only one during the entire trip) occurred during the night spent at
the higher camp. Upon reaching the pass we had spectacular views over
Kanchenjunga (8450m) and Jannu (7710m). Lumba Samba pass is in fact a triple pass. At the ′third′
(most western) pass, we could see Kanchenjunga (and Jannu)
on one side and Makalu (8481m) on the other side.

Leaving OlangchunGola.

Caravan of yaks heading toward Tibet, at the point where the trail
from OlangchunGola
bifurcates into two trails, one leading to Lumba
Samba pass, the other to TiptalaLaon
the border with Tibet.

Spectacular
views of Kanchenjunga (center left) and Jannu
(center) during the climb.

The same two
mountains after crossing the ′first′ (most
eastern) pass of the triple Lumba Samba pass.

View of Makalu
from the ′third′ (most
western) pass of Lumba Samba pass.

The isolated
village of Thudam (3560m) reached after a long
descent from the pass. This village, where we set our camp for one night, seems
extraordinarily poor. It has no easy connection to any other village in Nepal
and does some trade with Tibet through Umbak La
(5232m).